The state of Mississippi has long been a place to escape for a fun-filled weekend getaway or road trip. The Gulf Coast has the Margaritaville Resort and world-class gaming & casinos. Vicksburg has historic treasures that are hard to top. Oxford and Starkville have SEC football, while the Mississippi Delta claims the birthplace of the blues. But, right here amid the state, only a few miles from Jackson, is Jellystone Park Pelahatchie (affectionately known as Yogi On The Lake) in Pelahatchie-and you're going to love it!
Jellystone Park Pelahatchie is a Jellystone Resort, so that automatically tells you that they know kids, families, and how to create a vacation that works well for both. Harmoniously, Jellystone Park Pelahatchie blends spectacular scenery with fun amenities, day-long programming, special weekend features, and Americana, plus a whole bunch more, which you can keep track of on the handy-dandy downloadable app.
Start your day by saluting the flag and saying the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at the Ranger Station, or chill out by the pool while the kids play in the splash pad or fly down the thrilling waterslides by day. Take a ride in a golf cart around the property to watch for birds, wildlife, and the sunset, then end your day with s'mores by your own personal fire-pit. These are only a few things you will enjoy when you come to Pelahtachie, Mississippi, to visit.
Jellystone Park Pelahatchie has a nice mix of pet-friendly RV camping spots and cabins.
I stayed in a waterfront spot in my RV, and loved the serene landscape by day and night. We had a roaring fire in the fire pit of the evening and a picnic table to enjoy outdoor dining. Our spot had a pet kennel, too, in which our granddaughter loved playing in as much as our dog enjoyed hanging out in.
Canadian geese will most likely come to say hello, other than in our campsite where a plastic and very life-like coyote sits on the banks to deter them. You will also see several turtles sunning on the logs right on Lake Pelahatchie, which is the cutest thing. Be aware that these waters are wild, which means gators are in them. Please do not let your children be unattended at any time.
Included with your campsite fee are full hook-ups: electric, water, cable (25 stations), and Wifi. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. If you are staying lakeside and brought your kayaks, slip on some water shoes and launch right from the banks of your campsite. Quiet time is 10:30 PM through 8 AM.
You are permitted to have guests, but a visitor fee is applicable.
Campsites at Jellystone Park Pelahatchie include off-lake, premium, lakeside back in (many with waterfront patio or patio with or without fenced pet area options), buddy sites, and 23 tent sites. If you aren't into tent or RV camping, select one of the adorable cabin choices at Jellystone Park Pelahatchie, including Boo Boo, Cindy Bear, Ranger Smith, or Yogi Bear cabins, or the extra-large Great Escapes cabins, three in total.
There are also three pavilions (Cindy bear, Boo Boo, and Yogi Bear) that can be rented for special occasions or parties.
Have you heard the expression "too much to shake a stick at"? That is how I felt about the long list of amenities at Jellystone Park Pelahatchie. You can even view the property, schedule, and important details from the app on your phone, making it really convenient.
In no apparent order, here are things we enjoyed at the Jellystone property:
Jellystone Park Pelahatchie, a part of Great Escapes RV Resorts, has a seasonal/weekend restaurant, plus there is a boat launch, fishing pier, and kayaks for exploring Lake Pelahatchie. Seasonal activities are abundant, and families go all out decorating and entering contests sponsored by the campground. Jellystone Park Pelahatchie's Halloween Trail of Terror is a big draw, and there is trick or treating each weekend, too.
You won't even have to leave the property when you dine at Cartoon Cafe, located right beside the swimming pool. Breakfast items range from Boo Boo Burrito and State Fair donuts (cinnamon and brown sugar or powdered) to all-you-can-eat pancakes or biscuits & gravy. Biscuit sandwiches are another popular item.
Lunch choices include cheese curds, nachos, funnel cakes, fried or grilled chicken salads, pizza, grilled cheese, hot dogs, beef and chicken Philly sandwiches, ice cream, chips, and cookies. Tea, soda, milk, water, and coffee are some of the drink choices.
You'll find a map of the campground, a schedule of activities, and much more on the Jellystone Park Pelahatchie downloadable app. An example of the Halloween weekend activities include, and this is a small sampling:
9 AM Pledge of Allegiance
9:30 AM Hey Hey wagon ride (singing camp songs)
10:00 AM -7:00 PM Activity Center fun (tie-dye t-shirts, ceramics)
6 PM S'Mores and Halloweenies Roast
7 PM Karaoke at Activity Field Stage
7:30 PM Movie Under the Stars
7:30 PM Glow Ghost Hay Ride (ghoulish tales)
8 PM- 10 PM Laser Tag (additional fee)
There are activities all day long. A few that caught my eye (besides the ones shown above), included pumpkin decorating, Halloween scavenger hunt and costume parade, duck races, Golf Cart decoration contest, goblin snot (fee applies), candy bar bingo (fee applies), Scary Story Time (with a bear), Halloween Carnival, donut decorating, and Not-So-Haunted Kiddie Trail.
I'm sure your family is going to have a ball at Jellystone Park Pelahatchie. This is one fun-filled campground with loads of activities, gorgeous scenery and still maintains strict enforcement on quiet hours. Well done.
I was hosted by Jellystone Resorts to explore this campground. All opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
Read more of our Mississippi posts:
Best Things to Do in Jackson
Where the Locals Eat in Tupelo
50 Cool Things to Do in Mississippi